Harris returns home from India

Australia's Ashes preparations received a huge blow after fast bowler Ryan Harris returned home from the Indian T20 League.

Harris, who was playing for Punjab, returned home to get his Achilles tendon injury assessed.

The 33-year-old Queenslander, who has played 12 Tests for Australia, picking up 47 wickets, played only three matches this season in India, grabbing one wicket.

However, Harris was to be one of the key bowlers for Michael Clarke's side but he could now be sidelined for two months. With Mitchell Starc already recovering from an ankle injury, Australia appear to have been hit hard even before the first ball has been bowled in the series.

"I have to go to the IPL. I would rather go and bowl and train over there than just sit down,' Harris told Australian media before leaving for the IPL 2013.

"If I stop bowling or doing rehab for a week, I struggle to get up and going again," Harris said.

"Scans showed the injury was not serious and he will undergo intensive rehabilitation with the aim of him being available to take part in the Australia A Series and we expect he will be fit to play in the Ashes."

On Mitchell Starc, Dr Paoloni said: "Mitchell Starc is recovering as expected from arthroscopic ankle surgery. Currently he is meeting all clinical timeframes and with this progress the target is to play ICC Champions Trophy and then the Ashes."